“Is It Right for You to be Angry?”
Jonah was written in approximately 780 BC and appears to be about the same prophet mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. Jonah prophesied to Israel for a king who is said to be evil, and we have no record of his prophecies in 2 Kings other than they seem to center on the restoration of Israel’s borders due to God’s mercy. Keep this in mind as we now get a detailed snapshot of a story in Jonah’s life.
Most of us have known the story of Jonah from the time we were children, although in truth, this is not really a children’s story but is meant to be a mirror into adult’s hearts. The Lord tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach repentance to the Assyrians. Nineveh is first mentioned in Genesis 10:11 as being a city built by Nimrod. At this point in history, the Assyrians, an extremely idolatrous people who are conquering the known world, have their capital in Nineveh. The Assyrians subjugated via terror and extreme violence. I won’t detail all the horror the Assyrians imposed, needless to say, I am sure Jonah would have felt hesitation in being told to go preach to them about their evil deeds.
Jonah decides the best course of action is to flee in the exact opposite direction from the capital of Assyria. As the sailors on his ship become increasingly concerned about the weather, Jonah is asleep in the hold of the ship. Eventually lots are cast to see who’s to blame for the storm, and they fall to Jonah. I find it fascinating that Jonah appears to know the storm is because of him and then rather than jumping overboard, requests that the men throw him overboard to calm the storm. This appears to be a contrast in the belief and reverence for God from the “pagan” sailors versus the “righteous” prophet.
Once Jonah is thrown overboard, a great fish comes to swallow him and save him from drowning. Read Jonah’s prayer carefully – there is never really any sign of repentance but rather reluctantly agreeing to obey and even a somewhat interesting comment about how “Those who cherish worthless idols abandon their faithful love…” which may be a dig at the very people he is being told to go preach to.
Once Jonah is vomited back on land, he does go to Nineveh and proceeds to preach a seven-word sermon – “In forty days Nineveh will be demolished!” To his utter amazement, the people do in fact repent – TRUE REPENTANCE from the king to the animals. God in His mercy relented and did not destroy the city. Jonah, who has apparently been waiting to view the punishment, becomes furious when God relents and goes on to explain his reasoning for running to Tarshish. He KNEW God was gracious, compassionate, and slow to anger - one who relents from sending disaster. Apparently, these are good characteristics when applied to his home country of Israel but unfair when applied to his enemies. Jonah goes so far as to wish he was dead because of this compassionate display from the Lord. God questions Jonah – “Is it right for you to be angry?”
Jonah storms off and finds a place to watch the city, still hoping God will change His mind. God appoints a vine to provide shade for him and Jonah is delighted. However, the following day, when the weather is exceedingly hot and brutal, God appoints a worm to destroy this vine. Jonah again says it would be better for him to die. God again asks the same question but points to the plant – clearly trying to make Jonah think through his indignant attitude. Jonah snaps back that it IS right for him to be angry and in fact angry enough to die!! The book ends with a lingering question from God around Jonah’s care for a plant versus God’s care for a city of 120,000 people.
Why a recap of this story? Let’s turn the mirror on ourselves.
Do we think we can hide from obeying God and fulfilling His expectations? In doing so, what is our testimony to others who don’t know God? Are we being true image bearers?
Are we quick to say “Thank You” to God for His rescue but not really say we are sorry and still somehow point the finger to others to show how we are better?
Do we become frustrated at a lack of “justice” from God even if it may give time for repentance?
How often do you care about something completely insignificant in the grand scheme of things – say a broken-down car, a leaking faucet, or maybe even just something as simple as the temperature not being ideal? Now – how often are you impacted in the same way over other people that are not close to you? Maybe even your enemies? In fact, how often do you feel indifference to these things of much greater value?
You see, Jonah is a small book packed with quite a punch. If I am honest, I am always left feeling a little uncomfortable after reading Jonah mainly because I start to think about some of these very questions. Jonah is meant to leave us with an uncomfortable feeling and meant to help us re-evaluate our priorities. I pray we would all take these lessons to heart and, rather than respond in anger, be grateful and humbled by the compassion and faithful love of the Lord.
